Exhaust emission information beginning to stick fast

A move to put stickers showing fuel economy and exhaust emission data on the windscreens of all new cars sold in New Zealand is gaining momentum now that more models built to Australian regulations are arriving.

Australian Design Rules require results from fuel and emissions tests under Australian conditions to be displayed in sticker form on all new cars. Carmakers here want the same, using results based on New Zealand conditions.

Honda began to put the information on its demonstrator cars last week, specific to the model, engine capacity and transmission. Included was the result of an Auckland-Taupo-Auckland "optimum highway" test.

Honda is the first carmaker to include the results of a fuel test under New Zealand conditions. Others have made available the results of overseas tests. Kia has been putting stickers with European Union findings on its range for three years. Its Chinese-owned Korean rival, SsangYong, has used EU results in advertisements.

SsangYong importer Russell Burling says he would like to see New Zealand adopt the Australian standard.

"I support it," he says. "Fuel economy and exhaust emissions is what it's all about these days." Burling would like to see it included in a more widespread operating code for the motoring industry, "starting with a five-year rolling plan, a work in progress document with government that puts in place definitive requirements.

"It could be along the lines of the Button plan in Australia, conceived by politician Senator John Button to establish sustainable development in industry.

"It would be a different issue in New Zealand, where there is no local car assembly. But there is a need for something like it in motoring.

"The industry is moving so fast. Hybrids are gaining ground, fuel economy is improving, emissions are cleaner, fuel-cell vehicles are getting closer.

"New Zealand motoring needs a goal, an industry benchmark for fuel economy, emissions, crash safety, that sort of thing."

Burling says the first stage of the five-year plan must come from Government in "cleaning up the used imports debacle".

"At the moment we are a dumping ground for the world's junk," he says. "Countries we regard as less developed and poorer than us don't allow this stuff in.

"The average age of used imports coming into New Zealand so far this year is nine years old. That's a lifetime the way motoring technology is developing. New Zealand needs a clear definition of its future motoring standards. We need a timeline put in place right now."

Burling says he will continue to use the EU fuel and emissions test results in advertising the SsangYong line-up, which will be joined in October by the Actyon commercial utility vehicle.

The four-door Actyon, which replaces the Musso, is powered by a turbocharged 2-litre diesel engine producing 105kW (140bhp) at 4000rpm and 310Nm torque at 2250rpm.

It will drive through a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic and be available in two and four-wheel-drive. No word yet on price.